'Super ants' from Asia invading British gardens faster than ever

An invasive garden ant hailing from Asia continues to conquer new territory in England. The species, Lasius neglectus, is capable of building super colonies boasting dozens of queens and several thousand ants.

Γενετικά τροποποιημένοι αρουραίοι για τη διάσωση της βιοποικιλότητας στα Νησιά Γκαλαπάγκος

Η μοναδική βιοποικιλότητα των Νησιών Γκαλαπάγκος βρίσκεται σε κίνδυνο, καθώς χωροκατακτητικά είδη αρουραίων, τα οποία έχουν φτάσει στα νησιά μέσω πλοίων, τρέφονται μαζικά με αυγά και νεοσσούς από απειλούμενα είδη.

Invasive Argentine ants successfully eradicated from New Zealand

One of the world's most destructive eco-invaders has been eradicated from a popular wildlife sanctuary.

Armed protesters occupy Oregon wildlife refuge building over jailed ranchers

Armed protesters occupied a building of a federal wildlife refuge in the US state of Oregon in support of two return-to-jail ranchers punished by the court, according to the BBC on January 3. 

Asian wasp causes havoc in N. Portugal

The University of Tras-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD) have alerted the public Monday to destroy the Asian wasp which is causing havoc through northern Portugal and poses a health concern.

Study identifies ant pest as new threat to honey bees

One of the world's most invasive ant species could be accelerating the global decline of honey bees -- and carrying a previously unknown virus that could lead to its own demise, according to a New Zealand research out Wednesday.

Noxious fish threatens Australia

A fish that can move across land and choke birds is traveling to Australia from Papua New Guinea (PNG), scientists warn.

Αλάσκα: Εξόντωση ταράνδων για τη διάσωση χλωρίδας απομακρυσμένου νησιού (Caribou to be Hunted...)

Κυνηγοί από μία κρατική υπηρεσία θα ταξιδέψουν σε ένα απομακρυσμένο νησί στις Αλεούτιες Νήσους προκειμένου να εξοντώσουν τους ταράνδους του νησιού, ένα χωροκατακτητικό είδος που απειλεί τη βλάστηση του οικοσυστήματος.

Turistas podrían causar un desastre ecológico en la Antártida

Los ambientalistas advierten de que la creciente popularidad del turismo polar podría amenazar seriamente al ecosistema de la región: los visitantes traen bacterias patógenas, que pondrían en peligro la salud de los pingüinos de la Antártida.

Una operación eliminará ratas para conservar la biodiversidad de una isla

  Photo rohrmannspace.net

La mayor operación de eliminación de ratas con veneno en la historia empezará en febrero para conservar la biodiversidad de una de las Islas Georgias, en el Atlántico Sur que pertenecen al Reino Unido.

Commission welcomes the Council's adoption of the Invasive Alien Species Regulation

European Commission, Statement, Brussels, 29 September 2014:

Today the EU adopted legislation that will tackle the rapidly growing threat to biodiversity from invasive species. The Regulation is a crucial step towards achieving the EU's 2020 biodiversity targets, while also delivering on a commitment under the Convention on Biological Diversity to establish rules to address the threats posed by these species.

European Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said: "This new Regulation fills a long-recognised gap in EU biodiversity protection.

Συναγερμός για την εισβολή τοξικών λαγοκέφαλων στις ελληνικές θάλασσες

Πρωτοεμφανίστηκε το 2003 στη Ρόδο κι έκτοτε, κυρίως εξαιτίας της αλλαγής της θερμοκρασίας του νερού, έχει εξαπλωθεί σε όλη τη χώρα. 

Ο λαγοκέφαλος µε την επιστηµονική ονοµασία lagocephalus sceleratus παράγει την τοξική ουσία τετραδοτοξίνη και µπορεί να επιφέρει ακόµη και τον θάνατο σε όσους τον καταναλώσουν.

Invasive alien species: "The damage and costs continue to increase"

One of the worst threats to Europe's biodiversity and ecosystems is plant and animals species coming from other countries and continents, which often cause the near extinction of native species. On 16 April MEPs approved new rules to tackle this issue. “Invasive alien species are the second most significant threat to biodiversity after habitat loss and they are also recognised as a major cause of species extinction,” said Pavel Poc, the MEP responsible for steering the proposal through the EP.

Invasive alien species: MEPs reach agreement with the Greek Presidency

Plans to prevent the introduction or halt the spread of “invasive alien species” of plants, animals or insects that cause ecological and economic damage were agreed by MEPs and the Greek Presidency of the Council on Wednesday. The draft legislation, which would require EU member states to coordinate their efforts, provides for a ban on species declared to be of “Union concern”.

“Invasive alien species cause damage worth at least €12 billion every year in Europe and many member states already have to spend considerable resources in dealing with them”, said MEP Pavel Poc (S&D, CZ) who is steering the legislation through Parliament.

US West Coast on high alert against tsunami-washed Japanese invasive species

While winter storms have plunged temperatures across various parts of the United States, the West Coast is bracing itself for an altogether different – yet still very unwelcome – set of seasonal hazards: invading marine life from Japan.
Almost three years after the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami ravaged Japan’s east coast and set off the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, dislodged debris from the site is still washing up onto American shores. Yet while scientists have downplayed the possibility that the wreckage is contaminated with radiation, they are keeping their eyes peeled for hostile sea creatures hitching rides from across the Pacific. 

Una especie invasora destruye hasta el 95% de la biodiversidad en el Atlántico

Los peces leones en menos de 35 años invadieron el área oeste del Atlántico, superior al territorio de EEUU, suplantando a otros predadores y destruyendo hasta el 95% de las especies, informó la Universidad de Oregon.